Know what you can do and when to call in the professionals
Repairing small cracks or chips in a windshield is a challenge that everyone faces at some point when they drive a car. Well, it may seem quite daunting, and you may be worried that your windshield will never look the same again. This is not the case.
Repairing a large crack in your windshield yourself at home is no job for an amateur, but there are professionals who will be happy to repair or replace your entire windshield at your home to help you get back on the road again. Replacing a windshield is a big job, and it’s not something you can do yourself, but you can fix a chip if it appears. It’s all part of determining how to save money on repairs. Here’s how to apply this to windshield repair.
Step-by-step home repair tips
See to prevent damage. The first thing you need to think about is preventing further damage. Chips in the windshield are likely to develop into huge cracks, which can expand while driving at high speeds. By repairing the chips right away, you can prevent any further damage and not have to worry about them spreading across your glass. Start by assessing the damage. Take a look at the chip in your car’s windshield so you can determine how serious the chip is and how big it is. Chips smaller than nickel are usually repairable, and you can do this with a home kit. Larger chips or cracks may require professional intervention, or you may even need to replace the entire windshield. Clean the area as best you can. Park your car out of direct sunlight and make sure the windshield is cool to the touch. With a clean cloth and rubbing alcohol. Thoroughly clean the area around the chip. This will help you remove any dirt, debris, or any oil that may interfere with the repair you are trying to do yourself. You should not begin the repair until the area is completely dry. Preparing the slide for repairs. If there are any loose bits of glass or debris in the slide itself, use a razor blade or scraper to remove them very carefully. Don’t use too much pressure and be gentle to avoid expanding the chip or causing further damage. Resin application. A windshield repair kit often comes with a glue you can use to inject the sealant into the chip. It takes a little setup, but it’s not difficult. Once the resin is injected into the chip, wait for 5-10 minutes. If it is not completely covered, repeat the process again until the slide is completely covered with resin. Use treatment tape to cure it. Once the slide is filled with resin, place a curing tape over it. Adding a few drops of resin under the tape will help because you can then remove any imperfections and the tape will adhere to the windshield. You will then need to cure the resin with a UV repair kit. Allow it to dry completely. This will take about 15 minutes.
